No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here at University Congregational United Church of Christ. Young, old, sure of your path, or still searching — we invite you to join us in imagining love and justice – as Jesus did – and acting to change the world. We strive to walk in the path of Jesus, and to offer an authentic welcome to everyone who walks through our door. We invite visitors to wear a name-tag from the pew register folder so we may more easily greet you by name.

Our worship service starts at 10 am and includes hymns, prayers, scripture reading and a sermon. It usually lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. More information here.

Children are an important part of our community, and are welcome for all or part or the service. You will be met at the door with a warm handshake and welcome, and our friendly greeters can help direct you and answer your questions.

Wear clothes that you are comfortable in and sit on the main floor or in the balcony - wherever you feel most at ease. We look forward to welcoming you.

Parking can be a challenge in the University District! Persistence, patience and an early start are keys to success.

UW has free parking on Sundays. Enter the main campus gate at NE 45th and 17th Ave NE and turn left past the toll booth. It's about a three-block walk to the church. The UW Meany Garage at 15th Ave. NE and NE 41st St. is a five-block walk.

The church also owns three parking lots - Lot A is across the street from the church on 16th Ave. E. Lot B is beneath Sortun Court, just north of the church on the east side of 16th Ave. E. (It closes at 2 p.m.) Lot C (for those with difficulty walking, young children and visitors) is at the corner of 15th NE and NE 45th St., next to the church.

If you need to be assured of a close parking spot, you can call the church office before noon on Friday to reserve one: 206-524-2322.

We offer a complimentary "inquirers Lunch" on the second Sunday of the month for people interested in learning more about us. It is an informal session over soup, salad and dessert where you can meet others who may be on a similar spiritual journey and learn how to plug into this church community from long-term members and clergy.

We'll explore topics from history, to theology, to membership. To RSVP, or let us know about special needs (Including childcare or food sensitivities) email us at gro.ccuytisrevinu@sreriuqni or call 206-979-7539.

We are an inter-generational church and strive to be family-friendly, with an active ministry for children and youth. All ages are welcome in worship. We also offer nursery and child-care, Younger children begin the service with us and usually leave after about 15 minutes. Older children have the option of leaving for a special sermon time. Junior high and high school youth meet at 9 am and then often sit together in worship. Give us a call at 206-524-2322 for more specifics.

Hearing Impaired: Our sanctuary has an induction loop system that uses the T-Coil mode of your hearing aids. You can get the necessary equipment just before entering the Sanctuary on the right or ask any usher.

Visually Impaired: We offer each Sunday's program in large print for easier readability.

Wheelchair Access: The front entry is wheelchair accessible as are the rest rooms. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance.

Your Daily Miracle

Wedding season is upon us. Weddings, like funerals, bring out the best in us and bring out the worse—and sometimes both at once.

At the wedding in Cana, Jesus seemed more than a little cranky when Mary complained to him that there was no more wine. “Woman, what does this have to do with me?” he asked. “My time has not yet come.” I get the distinct feeling that he did not say this gently.

Mary then turned to the caterers and said, “Do whatever he tells you.”

A lo! He changed the water into wine. What began as a bothersome hospitality problem, Jesus turned into a miracle. His first of many!

I think this is a good model not just for how to behave at weddings, but what to do with any problem—turn it into a miracle! Of course we immediately think of the Big Problems: homelessness, immigration, gun laws, the environment. We absolutely must address these problems.

But I suggest that as we do that, we also practice with daily irritations. How can we turn them into miracles?

Perhaps you read this list and say, “Woman, what does this have to do with me?”

My answer is, if you can’t relate to any of these, just think of one that pops up in your daily life.

Maybe you don’t want to deal with it and declare, “My time has not yet come!”

Oh, yes, it has. I can’t tell you exactly how to transform your situation, but I can tell you how to perform a miracle in your life every day. Because it’s different for everyone, I can tell you only about my own experience.

Let me preface this by saying, I know this is not world peace. We’re talking daily frustrations here. With that said, here is one of mine: The Squirrel.

Actually there are several squirrels but there is only one who is a daily irritation. And he is irritating because he loves to perch on our seat cushions and pee. I’ve chased him off several times, so he knows I don’t appreciate this. A couple weeks ago I was on the phone—an important call—when he hopped up on the chair.

I tried waving through the window and making hideous faces. I considered knocking on the glass, but didn’t want to make noise. The Squirrel knew. He knew I was on the phone and couldn’t chase him away. He looked right at me blinking his beady squirrel eyes. He rubbed his front paws together in that squirrely way that says, “Neener-neener-neener.” And then he peed.

I know what you’re thinking: I turned squirrel pee into wine!

Let yourself imagine that for a moment. Now I have a red wine all over the seat cushion. Red wine or squirrel pee? Exactly. So, no, I did not perform that miracle.

Instead after a few squirrel-oriented curse words, I took the cushion inside and cleaned it. I thought about The Squirrel and my love-hate relationship with him. Yes, love. I’m not a monster! There is something cute about him and I’m weirdly flattered that he returns again and again. So I simply vowed to put away the chair cushions unless I’m out there sitting on them. You know, remove the temptation. End of irritation.

Oh, but what a weak ending to this story! I didn’t train him to fetch my slippers? We will not appear together on “America’s Got Talent?” Not even a book contract?

None of that, just this: the Squirrel irritation began an ongoing miracle in me. Which is that now while facing frustrations I ask, “How can I turn this into a miracle?” The miracle is not that we transform the situation, but that instead of just reacting, we stop and wonder, “How can I turn this into a miracle?”

What if we asked that question before speaking rude words, throwing a punch, picking up a gun? I believe it would make a difference.

Our time has come.

5 Comments

Crystol on June 21, 2018 at 4:47 pm

Thanks, what a great post. We can all relate.

Debra on June 21, 2018 at 9:09 pm

Thanks, Crystol!

Linda on June 21, 2018 at 10:28 pm

Thanks, Deb for a great analogy! Mine has to do with bunnies eating the roses and everything else they can reach.

makeba12014 on June 26, 2018 at 11:50 am

Our solution to the squirrel situation is to get another dog, which will happen in a couple of weeks. Her name will be Aurora (after the Aurora Borealis) because she will bring light into our house.

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University Congregational United Church of Christ

A progressive church where you are welcome, whether, on any given day, you are believing, seeking or doubting. As an open and affirming congregation, we celebrate our diversity in religious background, sexual orientation, race, and abilities.